Economic recovery plan needed

Long-term strategies to help Gippsland businesses recover from not only bushfires and the coronavirus pandemic but government policy changes affecting major industry sectors are being developed by the Committee for Gippsland.

As a first step a quick survey about the impact of COVID-19 is being undertaken.

Further information and to contribute to the survey is available at jane.oakley@gipps.com.au or by visiting www.committeeforgippsland.com.au

Chief executive officer of C4G Jane Oakley said the survey would inform a regional economic and social response to the pandemic and development of a recovery plan for Gippsland.

She said although dealing with immediate impacts is a priority Gippsland must be prepared for life post-COVID-19.

Ms Oakley said the committee was also continuing to advocate in response to major policy reforms, especially impacting energy, forestry, fisheries and agricultural industries, and urging government to invest in sectors where jobs can be created and sustained.

Even as Gippsland continues to come to grips with the implications of the pandemic it is time for the region to come together and identify and embrace to stimulate the regional economy, she said.

“We must identify strategies that not only returns Gippsland to ‘business as usual’ but embrace new and emerging opportunities, technologies and practices to drive productivity gains”.

A set of draft post-COVID-19 recommendations will be established as a result of the survey and reviewed by a working group comprising industry representatives and business leaders from Across the region.